FOR THOSE OF OUR readers keen to make a serious dent in their cash reserves, here’s another temptation, the new BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible range.
Classic lines hint at dynamic performance
The long wheelbase and lowered ride height, coupled with the wide kidney grille and slimmest BMW headlights ever designed, heighten the sporting capability of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe.
In addition to looking good, these headlights illuminate over 500m ahead of the vehicle when on high-beam, aiding driver vision and safety.
Previously only available for BMW M models, the M Carbon roof comes standard on the BMW M850i Coupe, reducing the vehicle’s kerb weight, lowering the centre of gravity and completing the swooping coupe roofline, its ‘double bubble’ design harks back to 1960s Grand Touring Coupes.
For those who prefer a body-colour roof, a lightweight aluminium roof is also available at no charge.
From the rear, the tucked-in glasshouse accentuates the flared rear hips and emphasise a muscular form and sporting stance. The slender but wide L-shaped LED taillights and dual trapezoidal tailpipes add the finishing touch.
The Active Air Stream Kidney Grille is electronically controlled to open and close automatically. For example, on a cold morning the grille stays closed for longer to ensure fast engine warm-up, and can close at freeway speeds to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Under heavier loads the grille opens to allow cooling air through the engine compartment.
Serious motive power: the new 4.4-litre V8 engine
At the heart of the all new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe and Convertible is a 4.4-litre V8 twin turbocharged petrol engine.
An all-new aluminium alloy crankcase increases rigidity while wire-arc sprayed iron features within the cylinder bores to reduce frictional losses. Grafal-coated pistons and material updates to connecting rods, main bearings, head gaskets and chain drive system ensure strength and efficiency. A viscous damper on the crankshaft enhances smoothness.
Both turbochargers are larger than before and feature a twin-scroll design and are individually charge-cooled. Located inside the vee, they are positioned for immediacy of response.
The direct fuel injection is rated at 350 bar, while VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing work in conjunction with the turbochargers to deliver strong acceleration throughout the rev range.
This thoroughly modern V8 generates peak power of 390kW between 5,500rpm and 6,000rpm, with an M5 Competition-matching 750Nm of torque delivered from 1,800rpm and 4,600rpm, more than enough to endow the 8 Series with scintillating performance that sees 100km/h come up in just 3.7 seconds for the Coupe and 0.2 seconds slower for the Convertible.
The latest generation eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission is fitted with a wide-ratio gear set (ratio spread increased from 7.07 to 8.59) to ensure relaxed high-speed driving and improved efficiency. Shift paddles allow the driver to manage ratios as required.
Most drivers will be more than happy to let BMW’s ‘ConnectedShift’ technology handle gearchanges, since it anticipates driver requirements and matches gear ratio to the oncoming road section.
Driver-focused displays and high technology
Featured in the all new BMW 8 series is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. A high-resolution, 12.3-inch customisable instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel, with a 10.25-inch Control Display mounted in the centre of the vehicle.
Additional BMW Live Cockpit Professional features include adaptive navigation, a 20gb hard drive, two USB ports for type A and type C connections, Bluetooth and wireless charging.
The full-colour, latest-generation BMW Head-Up Display is 16 percent larger than before and configurable. It includes details of vehicle speed, prevailing speed limit, check control messages, detailed route guidance information, driving assistance information, and infotainment lists. Shifting the Drive Experience Control switch to Sport or Sport+ brings additional information, with engine revolutions and a shift indicator displayed.
The BMW Operating System 7.0 connects the driver’s displays with the infotainment system, enabling the overlay of information from the Control Display onto the instrument cluster.
Further customisation is through colour choice of displays on the instrument cluster, configuration of up to ten pages on the control display, as well as programming of a welcome scenario. All that’s missing is a pat on the head when you climb aboard.
Other standard features include BMW gesture control (Coupe only), voice control with natural voice recognition and the intuitive Navigation System Professional, with speed limit information.
Connectivity is enhanced through an upgraded BMW ConnectedDrive system, with a range of digital service highlights such as wireless Apple CarPlay, Connected Package Professional with Real Time Traffic information, Remote Services, Concierge Services and a Digital Key which enables access to the car via smartphone.
Added rigidity for optimal ride and handling
At the centre of the BMW 8 Series is the BMW Carbon Core centre transmission tunnel. Utilising this carbon fibre structure simultaneously reduces weight and adds rigidity, allowing optimised suspension geometry and improving both ride and handling characteristics.
The Convertible is also built with an extremely stiff body and chassis structure. For enhanced passenger safety, the new BMW M850i xDrive Convertible includes a strengthened windscreen frame and integrated rollover bars that deploy upon sensing impact.
Suspension is via double wishbones on the front axle, specifically designed to separate the steering function from the damping force, to optimise ride comfort and response. Torsion struts are also used to more directly link the suspension to the 8 Series bodywork.
A five-link rear uses bi-elastic mountings and houses a load-bearing rear strut to further enhance rigidity and response.
Making the most of the chassis’ structure is an impressive array of technology. BMW’s all-wheel drive xDrive system is capable of deploying drive to the wheels that can best use it, for maximum traction.
The electronically-controlled M Sport Differential mounted on the rear axle creates further positive drive out of corners, as well as additional stability under braking.
M Performance-tuned Adaptive M Suspension Professional features continuously adapting damper control as well as active anti-roll stabilisation as standard, for flatter cornering. It also deploys Integral Active Steering, a four-wheel steering system which aids low-speed agility as well as high-speed stability. It is capable of adjusting the rear steering angle by up to 2.5 degrees, turning the rear axle in opposite phase at speeds of up to 72km/h.
Mixed-sized performance tyres are standard. These are fitted to a selection of 20-inch light alloy wheels and measure 245/35/R20 up front with 275/30/R20 on the rear axle.
A specific M Sport Brake system uses aluminium four-piston, fixed calipers on the front axle and floating aluminium single-piston rear calipers, clamping inner-vented discs that measure 395mm in diameter.
8 Series Convertible: Open air driving pleasure
The all new BMW 8 Series features a convertible model variant for the first time.
Insulation and light weight were key design focuses for the classically-inspired fabric soft top, providing protection for the driver and passengers without compromising on operational speed.
The BMW 8 Series Convertible roof operates automatically in 15 seconds at the touch of a button.
A timeless black soft-top comes as standard, with an ‘Anthracite Silver effect’ soft top available as a no-cost option.
Luxurious interior for comfort and support at any speed
As befits a car form the company that uses The Ultimate Driving Machine as its theme, the new BMW 8 Series features an exceptionally high-quality, driver-oriented interior.
Both variants feature a ‘2+2’ interior layout. Multifunctional sport seats are trimmed in BMW Individual extended leather ‘Merino’ upholstery as standard, in an array of exclusive finishes.
The leather-covered instrument panel and BMW ‘CraftedClarity’ glass applications come with an illuminated ‘8’ come as standard. BMW Individual headliner in Alcantara Anthracite also features on the 8 Series Coupe.
Ambient Lighting can be changed to match the cabin mood.
Specific to the Convertible is the BMW Air Collar, which provides warm air to the back of the neck driving top-down.
A special feature is the sophisticated soft top storage cover, with texture and stitching identical to car’s trim, providing a continuous design theme throughout the vehicle.
Spacious luggage compartment with foldable rear seats
The all new BMW 8 Series Coupe comes with a luggage capacity of 420 litres, while the Convertible version holds 350 litres with the soft top closed.
Rear seats are split 50:50 and can be folded down independently of each other to accommodate additional luggage. Both models feature a through-loading system which can also be utilised to ensure uncompromised luggage space even when driving with the top down.
For added convenience, Comfort Access system comes standard on the all new BMW 8 Series and allows hands-free opening and closing of the boot lid.
Standard equipment
- Eight-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic Transmission
- BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system
- 20-inch M light alloy wheels Y-spoke style 728 M Bicolour Cerium Grey with performance tyres
- Tyre Pressure Indicator
- M Sport Brakes
- M Sport Differential
- M Seat belts (NCO)
- Adaptive M Suspension Professional with
- Integral Active Steering
- Active anti-roll stabilisation
- M Carbon Roof (Coupe)
- Black soft top (Convertible)
- M Rear Spoiler (Coupe)
- Comfort Access including automatic tailgate
- Wireless Smartphone Charging
- Soft Close Doors
- BMW ‘CraftedClarity’ Glass Application
- Driving Assistant Professional
- Parking Assistant Plus, including Rear View Camera, 3D View and Reverse Assistant
- BMW Laserlights
- Connected Package Professional, including:
- Remote services, Real-time Traffic Information, Apple CarPlay and Concierge Services
- BMW Live Cockpit Professional, including:
- 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 10.25-inch Control Display, BMW Head-Up Display and Gesture Control
- BMW Night Vision Camera with Pedestrian Recognition
- BMW Air Collar Neck Warmer (Convertible only)
- BMW Individual Metallic Paintwork
- BMW Individual Leather Merino Upholstery
- Heat Comfort Package
- Front heated door/console armrests and steering wheel
- M Carbon Roof (Coupe)
- Heated front seats
- 16-speaker harman/kardon Surround Sound System
Make it personal
The new BMW 8 Series can be further tailored to personal taste.
An additional four 20-inch light-alloy road wheels are available for no cost, while there are six tiers of paintwork available.
Available for no cost is a non-metallic Alpine White, with six metallic colours (Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Mineral White, Sonic Speed Blue, Sunset Orange and Barcelona Blue) also available as no-cost options.
The first tier of BMW Individual metallic paintwork – Dravit Grey, Tanzanite Blue II and Aventurine Red II – can also be optioned at no cost.
Even more BMW Individual paint finishes
The sparkling ‘Brilliant White’ is a $2,000 option, while an extensive ‘Frozen’ palette (Arctic Grey, Brilliant White, Cashmere Silver, Dark Brown and Dark Silver) are available for $2,600.
For the ultimate finish, Pure Metal Silver is offered for $10,400.
Tactile upholstery choices
Inside, the standard BMW Individual Extended Leather ‘Merino’ upholstery is available as standard in Black with M Piping. Available at no cost are an additional six upholstery colours: Ivory White, Night Blue/Black, Tartufo/Black, Fiona Red/Black, Cognac and Black.
The full Leather ‘Merino’ option further extends the finely-structured upholstery throughout the cabin and adds upper door panel trims and the top section of the instrument panel in ‘Walknappa’ leather. These options are priced at $6,700. Opting for the exclusive, two-tone Ivory White / Tartufo Full Leather Merino interior adds $8,900.
A range of three interior trims are available at no cost. These finishes use high-quality materials to deliver a true high-level experience. A stainless steel trim finished in a ‘Fabric’ pattern, as well as ‘Copper’ and ‘Ash Grain Grey’ fine-wood finishes are included. Opting for BMW Individual trim finishers, including a fine-wood Ash Black Silver Effect or the elegant Piano Black finish, are also available for $200.
And yet more options
Available for no additional cost are a wide range of options, including:
- Runflat safety tyres (note: only available on certain rim styles)
- Model designation delete
- Chrome Line Exterior
- M Seat Belts
- BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line with extended contents
- Simplified Chinese language for BMW Operating system
- Body colour aluminium roof (removes carbon roof)
Several additions are also available, including:
- Sun protection glazing ($1,000, Coupe only)
- TV function ($2,300)
- 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 10-channel
- 1400W amplifier ($8,200 for Coupe, $6,900 for Convertible)
- M Carbon Exterior Package, including ($7,500 for Coupe, $6,600 for Convertible):
- M Carbon Air Curtain intake
- M Carbon mirror caps
- M Carbon rear spoiler
- Single-piece carbon rear section, around exhausts Rear diffuser insert
By Variant: Performance and efficiency
| Model | Engine | Power/Torque | 0- 100km/h | Fuel Use L/100km | CO2 g/km |
| M850i xDrive Coupe | 4.4L twin-turbo 8-cylinder petrol | 390 kW/750Nm | 3.7 sec | 10.4 | 238 |
| M850i xDrive Convertible | 4.4L twin-turbo 8-cylinder petrol | 390 kW/750Nm | 3.9 sec | 10.6 | 243 |
Dimensions
| Dimension | Coupe | Convertible |
| Length | 4851mm | 4851mm |
| Width | 1902mm | 1902mm |
| Height | 1346mm | 1345mm |
| Wheelbase | 2822mm | 2822mm |
| Load capacity | 420 L | 350 L |
BMW 8 Series Convertible and Coupe range pricing
BMW M850i xDrive Coupe $272,900 (plus on road costs)
BMW M850i xDrive Convertible $281,900 (plus on road costs)